Question

Question: The volume of a certain saturated solution is greater than the sum of the volumes of the water and salt from which it is made. Predict the effect of increased pressure on the solubility of this salt.

Short answer

Answer

Theincreased pressure favors the state's smaller volume (salt and water towards the left).

Step-by-step solution

Unsaturated solution

The volume of the unsaturated solution is generally less than the volume of the sum of volumes of solute and solvent. The reason is that the solute particles occupy the vacant space in the solvent molecules. This condition occurs till the saturated solution is formed.

Step 2:Effect of increasing pressure

Increasing pressure equilibrium shifts towards higher density solid or liquid. The solubility is inversely proportional to the pressure. In this case, by Le Chatelier's principle, increased pressure favors the state with smaller volume (the separated salt and water).

Hence, theincreased pressure favors the state with a smaller volume (the separate salt and water).